Switch holder and actuating apparatus in a hinged closure appliance

ABSTRACT

The embodiment of the invention disclosed herein is directed to a switch mounting and actuating assembly wherein a switch holder is provided with a plurality of spaced apart post members to receive and hold a switch body during an initial assembling operation of the switch to an appliance, such as a washing machine, or the like. The switch mounting and actuating assembly has holes formed therein to be aligned with holes formed through the switch body and which holes are ultimately aligned with apertures formed in the peripheral margin portion of an opening formed within the appliance receiving the same. An actuating member is removably pivotally secured to the switch holder and is C-shaped in configuration having a lower portion thereof extending a distance greater than the upper portion. A pad is formed at the terminating end of the lower portion and angled relative thereto to provide a slide surface upon which an actuating pin engages. The switch mounting and actuating assembly is permanently held in position in the appliance by fastening means such as rivets or the like passing through the apertures in the appliance and the holes formed through the switch body and switch holding member.

United States Patent [191 Fisher Nov. 19, 1974 SWITCH HOLDER ANDACTUATING APPARATUS IN A HINGED CLOSURE APPLIANCE [75] Inventor: JulianVernon Fisher,

Carpentersville, Ill.

[73] Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc., Chicago,

Ill

[22] Filed: Nov. 21, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 417,795

[52] US. Cl. ZOO/61.81, 200/333, 200/153 T [51] Int. Cl. H01h 3/16 [58]Field of Search ZOO/61.76, 61.81, 153 T,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,053,373 9/1936 MoneyZOO/61.81

2,101,748 12/1937 Michel ZOO/61.81

2,911,509 11/1959 Millerwise 200/332 3,028,869 4/1962 Jordan ZOO/61.78

3,033,966 5/1962 Dillon 200/332 3,336,458 8/1967 Hadley 200/3323,689,724 9/1972 Labude 200/333 3,755,642 8/1973 Warner 200/153 T [5 7]ABSTRACT The embodiment of the invention disclosed herein is directed toa switch mounting and actuating assembly wherein a switch holder isprovided with a plurality of spaced apart post members to receive andhold a switch body during an initial assembling operation of the switchto an appliance, such as a washing machine, or the like. The switchmounting and actuating assembly has holes formed therein to be alignedwith holes formed through the switch body and which holes are ultimatelyaligned with apertures formed in the peripheral margin portion of anopening formed within the appliance receiving the same. An actuatingmember is removably pivotally secured to the switch holder and isC-shaped in configuration having a lower portion thereof extending adistance greater than the upper portion. A pad is formed at theterminating end of the lower portion and angled relative thereto toprovide a slide surface upon which an actuating pin engages. The switchmounting and actuating assembly is permanently held in position in theappliance by fastening means such as rivets or the like passing throughthe apertures in the appliance and the holes formed through the switchbody and switch holding member.

SWITCH HOLDER AND ACTUATING APPARATUS IN A HINGED CLOSURE APPLIANCEBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The embodiment of the invention disclosedherein is directed generally to switch mounting and actuatingassemblies, and more particularly to a switch mounting and actuatingassembly utilized in conjunction with appliances such as top-loadingwashing machines or front-loading dryers, or the like.

Switch mounting and actuating devices heretofore have been made frommetal stamping structures which have been relatively complicated andexpensive to manufacture. Furthermore, since these types of switchmounting devices are utilized in areas of high himidity, they have atendency to rust and become weakened and/or defective as a result.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of this inventionto provide a new and improved switch mounting and actuating assembly tobe incorporated in an appliance such as a washing machine or the like.

Another object of this invention is to provide a switch mounting andactuating assembly which is formed of a plastic molded structure therebyeliminating the possibility of rust and ultimate malfunction.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a switch mountingand actuating assembly which is efficient and reliable in operationwhile also being inexpensive and simple to manufacture.

Briefly, the switch structure of this invention is actuated when the lidof a washing machine is closed. The structure includes a switch holderand a C-shaped actuating member which is snap-fit into a recess formedwithin the holder and thereby provides a pivotal connection between thetwo components. A return spring is also snap-fit into a recess formed inthe actuating member and engages the underside of the wall-formingstructure of the appliance. A switch body is placed within the holderand temporarily held in registry therewith so as to maintain holes inthe switch holder and the switch body in alignment during the assemblyoperation. The holes are ultimately placed in registry with aperturesformed in the wall structure of the appliance so that fastening meanssuch as pop rivets, screws, or the like, may be inserted therein andlocked in place.

Many other objects, features and advantages of this invention will bemore fully realized and understood from the following detaileddescription when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawingswherein like reference numerals throughout the various views of thedrawings are intended to designate similar elements or components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of anappliance utilizing the switch mounting and actuating assembly which isconstructed in accordance with the principles of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a switch body inserted intothe switch mounting and actuating assembly prior to securing the sameinto the appliance of FIG. I;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the switch body in phantomline and further illustrating fastening means passing through aperturesformed therein;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the C-shaped actuating member of theassembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG.1 illustrating the mounting of the switch and switch body in theappliance illustrated herein; and

FIG. 6 is a top sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIG.I, there is seen a switch mounting and actuating assembly designatedgenerally by reference numeral 10 that is shown in connection with anappliance 11, here being a top-loading washing machine. The switchmounting and actuating assembly 10 is placed in close proximity to anopening 12, preferably being located at the margin portion 13 oppositethat of a pair of hinges 16 and 17'associated with a cover member 14.Also, in the illustrated embodiment, a splash shield 18 is associatedwith the switch mounting and actuating assembly 10 to prevent water orother moisture from splashing onto the switch structure during a washingoperation.

Referring now to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the switch mounting and actuatingassembly 10 is illustrated as including a holder member 20 having aplurality of spaced apart post members 21 which serve to temporarilyhold a switch body 19 in a position to have holes 22 of the holder 20 inalignment with the holes 23 of the switch body 19 so that a pair ofscrews 24 can be inserted therethrough and through apertures 26, FIG. 5,and the holes 22 and 23 to securely mount the switch mounting andactuating assembly and the switch body to the peripheral margin 13 ofthe washing machine 11.

Associated with the mounting and actuating assembly 10 is an actuatingmember 30 having substantially a C-shaped configuration, from the sideview, and wherein the top portion 31 is shorter than the bottom portion32. Also, connected to the end of the bottom portion 32 is a pad portion33 which serves both as a striking member for a pin 35 and to close offan aperture 350 through which the pin passes when the cover member 14 isopen. The actuating member 30 is pivotally connected to the holder 20 bycylindrical portions 34 engaging apertures 36. The actuating member 30is snap-fit into operating position in the holder 20 by flexure of thedownwardly depending portions 36a of the body 20.

To provide rigidness of the actuating member 30, a rib 37 is formedalong the outer surface thereof and is fashioned, at the bight portion,to have a recess 38 formed to receive a clip-forming portion 39 of aleaf spring 40. The leaf spring 40 is so positioned to engage theunderside 41 of the peripheral margin 13 of the washing machine toprovide a continuous spring bias action of the actuating arm 30 tomaintain the switch in a deactuated condition.

FIG. 5 illustrates the cover 14 as having a downwardly turned portion 50and an inwardly turned portion 51 having an aperture 52 formed thereinto receive the pin 35. The pin 35 has a shoulder 53 and a head 55 to bepositioned on opposite sides of the inwardly turned portion 51 firmly tohold the pin in position.

Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the peripheral portion 13has a downwardly sloping portion 54 through which the aperture 35a isformed for receiving the pin 35. While this particular configuration ofswitch mounting is illustrated in the detailed disclosure, it will beunderstood that variations thereof may be made if desired.

The switch body 19 may take any suitable form but preferably is to havea size firmly to fit between the post members 21 for temporarily holdingthe switch in position during the mounting operation. The switchstructure illustrated herein has snap-on terminal leads 57 and 58 and anupstanding push button 59 which is actuated by the shortened upperportion 31 of the actuating member 30.

Most advantageously, the entire switch mounting and actuating assembly,except for the leaf spring member 40, is made of molded plastic materialand, therefore, is not subject to corrosion or rust as are metalcomponents utilized for the same purpose. Accordingly, variations andmodifications of this invention may be effected without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the novel concepts disclosed and claimed herein.

The invention is claimed as follows:

1. A switch operating mechanism for a switch having an actuator meanswhich is secured to a housing having a movable lid and a stationarymember wherein retaining means retains said switch on said stationarymember so that said actuator means is in proximity to a first wall ofsaid stationary member which is substantially flush with said lid whensaid lid is closed and said lid carries an actuating projection whichextends through an opening in a second wall of said stationary memberwhich is inclined with respect to said first wall and which has aportion that extends behind said lid when said lid is closed comprisingoperating means which assumes a first position when said lid is open anda second position when said lid is closed, means for pivotly mountingsaid operating means so that it can pivot between said first and secondpositions, a first leg positioned adjacent said first wall and saidactuator means, a second leg, engagement means on said second leg, athird leg joining said first and second legs and resilient meansdisposed between said first wall and said operating means so as to biassaid operating means towards said first position when said lid isclosed, said first leg being positioned above said actuator means whensaid operating means is in said first position and so as to depress saidactuator means when said operating means is in said second position andsaid second leg being positioned so that said engagement means providesa seal for said opening in said second wall when said operating means isin said first position and so that said engagement means engages saidactuating projections on said lid when said operating means is pivotedfrom said first position to said second position.

2. A switch operating mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein saidoperating means is of a general C- shaped configuration and said firstleg is substantially parallel to said second leg.

3. A switch operating mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein saidoperating means comprises a rib and said resistant means comprises aleaf spring having a first end which engages said first wall and asecond end which is secured to said rib.

4. A switch operating mechanism as claimed in claim 3 wherein said ribextends over said third leg of said operating means and said second endof said resilient means comprises a clip which snaps over said rib so asto be retained thereon.

5. A switch operating mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein saidengagement means comprises a pad on the outer end of said second legwhich extends from said second leg at an angle to provide a slidesurface for said actuating projection.

6. A switch operating mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein saidpivotal mounting means comprises a pair of cylindrical projections onopposite side of said third leg and a pair of corresponding receptaclesin said retaining means.

7. A switch operating mechanism as claimed in claim 4 wherein saidoperating means is of a general C- shaped configuration and said firstleg is substantially parallel to said second leg.

8. A switch operating mechanism as claimed in claim 7 wherein saidengagement means comprises a pad on the outer end of said second legwhich extends from said second leg at an angle to provide a slidesurface for said actuating projection.

9. A switch operating mechanism as claimed in claim 8 wherein saidpivotal mounting means comprises a pair of cylindrical projections onopposite sides of said third leg and a pair of corresponding receptaclesin said retaining means.

1. A switch operating mechanism for a switch having an actuator meanswhich is secured to a housing having a movable lid and a stationarymember wherein retaining means retains said switch on said stationarymember so that said actuator means is in proximity to a first wall ofsaid stationary member which is substantially flush with said lid whensaid lid is closed and said lid carries an actuating projection whichextends through an opening in a second wall of said stationary memberwhich is inclined with respect to said first wall and which has aportion that extends behind said lid when said lid is closed comprisingoperating means which assumes a first position when said lid is open anda second position when said lid is closed, means for pivotly mountingsaid operating means so that it can pivot between said first and secondpositions, a first leg positioned adjacent said first wall and saidactuator means, a second leg, engagement means on said second leg, athird leg joining said first and second legs and resilient meansdisposed between said first wall and said operating means so as to biassaid operating means towards said first position when said lid isclosed, said first leg being positioned above said actuator means whensaid operating means is in said first position and so as to depress saidactuator means when said operating means is in said second position andsaid second leg being positioned so that said engagement means providesa seal for said opening in said second wall when said operating means isin said first position and so that said engagement means engages saidactuating projections on said lid when said operating means is pivotedfrom said first position to said second position.
 2. A switch operatingmechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein said operating means is of ageneral C-shaped configuration and said first leg is substantiallyparallel to said second leg.
 3. A switch operating mechanism as claimedin claim 1 wherein said operating means comprises a rib and saidresistant means comprises a leaf spring having a first end which engagessaid first wall and a second end which is secured to said rib.
 4. Aswitch operating mechanism as claimed in claim 3 wherein said ribextends over said third leg of said operating means and said second endof said resilient means comprises a clip which snaps over said rib so asto be retained thereon.
 5. A switch operating mechanism as claimed inclaim 1 wherein said engagement means comprises a pad on the outer endof said second leg which extends from said second leg at an angle toprovide a slide surface for said actuating projection.
 6. A switchoperating mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein said pivotal mountingmeans comprises a pair of cylindrical projections on opposite side ofsaid third leg and a pair of corresponding receptacles in said retainingmeans.
 7. A switch operating mechanism as claimed in claim 4 whereinsaid operating means is of a general C-shaped configuration and saidfirst leg is substantially parallel to said second leg.
 8. A switchoperating mechanism as claimed in claim 7 wherein said engagement meanscomprises a pad on the outer end of said second leg which extends fromsaid second leg at an angle to provide a slide surface for saidactuating projection.
 9. A switch operating mechanism as claimed inclaim 8 wherein said pivotal mounting means comprises a pair ofcylindrical projections on opposite sides of said third leg and a pairof corresponding receptacles in said retaining means.